Structure-related distribution of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and HCB in a river-sea system

Water concentrations of PCDD/Fs, HCB, and non-ortho, mono-ortho, and non-dioxin-like PCBs were measured four times during 1 year in a coastal area of the Baltic Sea, to investigate background levels and distribution behaviour. Sampling sites included two rivers, an estuary, and the sea. Particulate and apparently dissolved concentrations were determined using active sampling (filters + PUFs), while freely dissolved concentrations were determined using passive sampling (POM-samplers). The distribution between particulate + colloidal and freely dissolved phases, in the form of TOC-normalized distribution ratios (K_TOC), was found to be near or at equilibrium. The observed K_TOC were not significantly different between sampling sites or seasons. For PCDD/Fs, the concentrations were significantly correlated to suspended particulate matter (SPM), while no correlation to organic carbon (TOC) was observed. In the estuary and the sea, PCB concentrations were correlated to TOC. The sorption of various congeners to SPM and TOC appeared to be related to both hydrophobicity and 3D-structure. The PCDD/F concentration in the sea decreased to one third in May, likely connected to the increased vertical flux of particles during the spring bloom.     

Primary versus secondary drivers of foraging activity in sandeel schools (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ammodytes tobianus</Emphasis>)

The commercially and ecologically valuable sandeel (Ammodytes ssp.) make distinct vertical shifts between an inactive stage, during which they seek refuge in the sand, and a pelagic schooling stage, during which they forage. This characteristic discontinuous foraging pattern constitutes a challenge to fishery biologists and has consequences for a wide range of predators ranging from birds and mammals to commercially important species. However, experimental studies that shed light on the primary drivers of foraging activity in fish are rare. In the present study, whole schools of sandeel (A. tobianus) were caught in August in east Denmark (65°02′30N; 12°37′00E) and kept in large tanks in the laboratory. It was found that the amount of food ingested and memory of past days feeding history are primary drivers of foraging activity at the level of the entire school, whereas external factors such as prey concentration and temperature are merely secondary drivers.     

Diversifying forest expertise: forest journals narrating policy change

ABSTRACT

During policy change, the role of the actors communicating the change to different audiences is accentuated. The media plays an increasing role, either as an actor or by providing a stage for other actors. In particular, specialised journals represent an influential, albeit understudied, sphere of policy studies. We use the narrative policy framework complemented with frame analysis to trace how specialised media can affect policy implementation through implicit suggestions for action. Using this combined approach, we analyse how specialised forest journals, which are the most important forest information source for Finnish forest owners, have conveyed the renewal of forest legislation in Finland. The core message of the journals is that forest owners should, despite their new freedom granted by the reform, rely on experts rather than experimenting when managing their forests. This suggests that the media contributes to a path-dependent continuation of a forest policy that is based on a rationalistic exploitation ethos. The innovative potential, which the policy change aimed at encouraging, is thereby partially undermined. However, the analysis of the narratives also reveals that forest expertise and professionalism are diversifying. This notion is important as diversity can eventually lead to narratives supporting more fundamental change in forests management.     

Potentially toxic element fractionation in technosoils using two sequential extraction schemes

This study reports the chemical fractionation of several potentially toxic elements (Zn, Pb, Cd, As, and Sb) in contaminated technosoils of two former smelting and mining areas using two sequential extraction schemes. The extraction schemes used in this study were the Tessier’s scheme and a modified BCR scheme. The fractions were rearranged into four equivalent fractions defined as acid soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual to compare the results obtained from two sequential extraction schemes. Surface soils were samples from a waste landfill contaminated with Zn, Pb, and Cd located at Mortagne-du-Nord (MDN; North France) and from a settling basin contaminated with PTE such as As, Pb, and Sb located at La Petite Faye (LPF; Limoges, France). The study of the Zn, Pb, Cd, As, and Sb partitioning in the acid soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions of the technosoils revealed that Zn, Cd, and Pb were mainly associated with the acid soluble and reducible fractions for MDN site, while As, Sb, and Pb were associated with residual fraction for LPF site. Fractionation results indicate that the percentages of Zn, Pb, Cd, As, and Sb extracted in Fe–Mn oxide bound fraction of Tessier’s scheme were always higher than those extracted by modified BCR scheme. This may be attributed to the stronger Tessier’s scheme conditions used to extract this fraction. In contrast the percentages of Zn, Pb, Cd, As, and Sb extracted in the organic fraction of the modified BCR scheme were always higher than those of the Tessier’s scheme. The order of mobility of PTE was as follows: Cd?>?Zn?>?Pb in MDN site and As?>?Sb?>?Pb in LPF site. PTE were distributed in all soil fractions, with the most relevant enrichments in extractable and residual fractions. A significant amount of Cd, Pb, and Zn were rather mobile, which suggests that these elements can be readily available to plants and soil organisms.     

Mobility and phytoavailability of Cu,Cr, Zn,and As in a contaminated soil at a wood preservation site after 4 years of aided phytostabilization

The remediation of copper-contaminated soils by aided phytostabilisation in 16 field plots at a wood preservation site was investigated. The mobility and bioavailability of four potentially toxic trace elements (PTTE), i.e., Cu, Zn, Cr, and As, were investigated in these soils 4 years after the incorporation of compost (OM, 5 % w/w) and dolomite limestone (DL, 0.2 % w/w), singly and in combination (OMDL), and the transplantation of mycorrhizal poplar and willows. Topsoil samples were collected in all field plots and potted in the laboratory. Total PTTE concentrations were determined in soil pore water (SPW) collected by Rhizon soil moisture samplers. Soil exposure intensity was assessed by Chelex100-DGT (diffusive gradient in thin films) probes. The PTTE phytoavailability was characterized by growing dwarf beans on potted soils and analyzing their foliar PTTE concentrations. OM and DL, singly and in combination (OMDL), were effective to decrease foliar Cu, Cr, Zn, and As concentrations of beans, the lowest values being numerically for the OM plants. The soil treatments did not reduce the Cu and Zn mineral masses of the bean primary leaves, but those of Cr and As decreased for the OM and DL plants. The Cu concentration in SPW was increased in the OM soil and remained unchanged in the DL and OMDL soils. The available Cu measured by DGT used to assess the soil exposure intensity correlated with the foliar Cu concentration. The Zn concentrations in SPW were reduced in the DL soil. All amendments increased As in the SPW. Based on DGT data, Cu availability was reduced in both OM and OMDL soils, while DL was the most effective to decrease soil Zn availability.     

Energy management practices in Swedish energy-intensive industries

Previous studies point out a large (untapped) potential for energy efficiency in industry through the adoption of energy management practices. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyze energy management practices in two different Swedish energy-intensive industries: the pulp and paper industry and the foundry industry. The results show that one third of the studied mills and about two fifths of the studied foundries do not allocate energy costs by means of sub-metering, which probably contributes to reinforce the split incentive problem. Moreover, about one fifth of the mills and about half of the foundries lack a long-term energy strategy. The results also show that only about 40% and 25% respectively of the studied mills and foundries may be categorized as successful when it comes to energy management practices. If energy management is not fully prioritized even in energy-intensive industries – such as the studied foundry and pulp- and paper industry it will, in all probability, not be prioritized in less energy-intensive industrial sectors or countries either, indicating a large untapped potential in regard to cleaner, more environmentally sound, production in the industrial sector.     

Distribution,fate and persistence of organochlorine compounds formed during production of bleached pulp

The processes governing distribution of a xenobiotic compound discharged initially into the environment are discussed, and attention is drawn to (a) binding to organic matter in the sediment phase which affects both persistence and toxicity to biota and (b) the role of atmospheric transport for compounds of low water solubility and high vapour pressure. Important limitations in the use of sum parameters such as EOCI are pointed out. The important distinction between biodegradation and biotransformation is pointed out, and significant experimental determinants noted. Pathways for the aerobic metabolism of chlorophenolic compounds are discussed, and attention is drawn to the role of O‐methylation as an environmentally significant alternative to biodegradation. Evidence for the biodegradation of chlorinated aliphatic acids and hydrocarbons under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions is presented. Anaerobic metabolism of chlorophenolic compounds is discussed with respect to (a) de‐O‐methylation of chloroguaiacols, (b) dechlorination of chlorocatechols and (c) reduction of chlorovanillins. It is emphasized that current evidence provides a complex metabolic picture, and that only partial dechlorination may occur. Brief attention is given to the important issue of the persistence of chlorolignin, and attention drawn to technical issues which render this problem difficult of access by traditional procedures. Biohalogenation—particularly by fungi—is noted, though its quantitative contribution cannot be estimated at the moment. A number of important unresolved issues are underscored: (a) the problem of determining rates of microbial reactions which may be translated to environmental situations, (b) the cardinal role not only of the number of chlorine atoms in an aromatic compound but also the substitution pattern and (c) limitations in current understanding of the role of anaerobic bacteria in bringing about biodegradation and biotransformation.     

The use of sewage sludge as remediation for imidacloprid toxicity in soils

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigated the influence of the sewage sludge (SS) soil amendment on the chronic toxicity of imidacloprid (through the seed dressing...